PropFirmsPromo Methodology
How we evaluate and compare prop firms
PropFirmsPromo is built to help traders make better-informed decisions when choosing and purchasing a prop firm account.
Our methodology explains how we evaluate prop firms, what information we consider, and how our ratings are calculated.
Our primary focus is accurate, useful and easy-to-understand information.
1. Our PropFirmsPromo Rating
Every prop firm covered by PropFirmsPromo may receive a PropFirmsPromo Rating based on the quality of its overall offering.
The rating uses a 1–10 star scale, with higher stars representing a stronger overall offering.
For example:
The rating is designed to give traders a quick and simple way to compare firms while still allowing them to explore the individual factors behind the rating.
The PropFirmsPromo Rating is an assessment based on the information available to us at the time of evaluation. It is not a guarantee of trading success, profitability, evaluation success, payouts or any future outcome.
2. The Five Factors We Evaluate
We believe five factors are particularly important when assessing the overall quality of a prop firm's offering. Rather than relying on a single number or subjective opinion, PropFirmsPromo evaluates each firm across these five core areas. Each factor receives an individual rating from 1 to 10 stars, based on the information, conditions and trader experience associated with the firm's programs. Together, these five ratings form the foundation of the overall PropFirmsPromo Rating.
1. Value for Money
Value for Money looks at what a trader receives in return for the price they pay.
We consider the relationship between the program's cost and its overall conditions, rather than simply treating the cheapest account as the best value. This assessment can include account price, account size, profit target, drawdown, profit split, fees, scaling opportunities and other important program conditions.
A lower-priced program may not necessarily provide better value if it comes with significantly less favorable conditions. Likewise, a higher-priced program may still offer strong value when the overall package justifies the cost.
Our aim is to determine how competitive the offering is relative to what traders are actually receiving.
2. Rules & Flexibility
Rules & Flexibility evaluates how restrictive or accommodating a firm's trading rules are.
Trading rules can have a significant impact on how a trader approaches a program, so we look beyond the headline rules and consider the conditions that may materially affect day-to-day trading. This can include maximum drawdown, daily drawdown, drawdown methodology, consistency requirements, minimum trading days, news trading restrictions, weekend trading restrictions, EA and automated-trading policies, copy-trading rules, holding restrictions, position or exposure limits and other program-specific requirements.
The objective is to give traders a clear understanding of how much freedom they have to trade within the program.
3. Payouts
Payouts evaluate how a firm's profit-sharing and payout structure works for traders.
A high advertised profit split alone does not determine a strong payout rating. We consider the broader payout process and the conditions a trader must meet to receive their profits. This can include profit split, payout frequency, minimum payout requirements, eligibility conditions, payout methods, processing conditions, scaling opportunities and other payout-related rules.
The goal is to assess how attractive and practical the firm's payout structure is based on its published conditions and available information.
4. Trading Conditions
Trading Conditions evaluates the environment in which traders are expected to operate.
We consider the tools and conditions provided by the firm and, where reliable information is available, how they compare with other offerings in the market. This can include trading platforms, available instruments, leverage, commissions, spreads, trading hours and other relevant trading conditions.
The rating is based on the conditions available to traders rather than simply the number of platforms or instruments a firm advertises.
5. Customer Support
Customer Support evaluates the quality and accessibility of assistance available to traders before and during their participation in a program.
Good support can be particularly important when traders need clarification about rules, account issues, technical problems or payout-related questions.
Our assessment can consider available support channels, support hours, response times, accessibility, quality and clarity of responses, knowledge of support staff, consistency of communication and the usefulness of the firm's help center or documentation.
Where direct measurement is not possible, we rely on available evidence and clearly distinguish between verified information and reported experiences.
Overall PropFirmsPromo Rating
These five factors form the foundation of the PropFirmsPromo Rating. Each factor receives an individual rating from 1 to 10 stars, and the overall rating is calculated from the average of the five factor ratings. This gives traders both a simple overall score and a clearer understanding of where a prop firm performs well and where it may have weaknesses.
The five factors are intended to provide a balanced view of the firm's offering without making the rating unnecessarily complicated.
4. The Information Behind Our Ratings
Our ratings are based on the information we collect about each firm's programs and offerings. This may include:
- Account sizes
- Account prices
- Discounts and fees
- Profit targets
- Maximum drawdown
- Daily drawdown
- Drawdown calculation
- Profit split
- Payout requirements
- Payout frequency
- Minimum trading days
- Consistency requirements
- Scaling rules
- Trading platforms
- Tradable instruments
- Leverage
- Commissions and trading costs
- News trading rules
- Weekend trading rules
- EA and automated-trading rules
- Copy-trading rules
- Position or exposure restrictions
- Restricted countries
- Reset or activation fees
- Other program-specific conditions
The specific information considered may vary depending on the firm and program.
5. Sources & Verification
Whenever possible, we use primary sources to collect and verify information. These may include:
- Official prop firm websites
- Official program pages
- Terms and conditions
- Rulebooks
- Official announcements
- Direct communication with authorized firm representatives
We may also use reputable secondary sources where appropriate. Our goal is to use the most reliable information available and avoid presenting assumptions or unverified claims as facts.
Because prop firm pricing, rules and programs can change, important information may include a Verified or Last Checked date.
This allows traders to see when the information was most recently reviewed.
6. Our Approach to Accuracy
Prop firm information can change frequently.
- Prices may change.
- Rules may change.
- Programs may change.
- Payout conditions may change.
- Promotions may expire.
For this reason, we treat our information as something that needs to be maintained rather than published once and forgotten.
When we identify a material change, we may update the relevant information and reassess the firm's rating where necessary.
Our goal is simple:
Give traders information they can actually rely on when comparing prop firms.